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Rob [Member] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

Rob [Member] — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:29:31 +0000

@jbwilder0206: Not sure what to tell you as I'm not a doctor. That being said I'd be very careful with whatever shoe you decide to run in coming back from an injury. FWIW, it seems like shin splints is part of the process that a lot of us went through (at some point) when we started running. If that is the case with you then it really won't matter what type of shoe you wear. My only advice is that if you're unused to running in a zero drop shoe to take it slow and don't try to do too many miles in them at first and possibly rotate their use with other running shoes or at least only run in them every other day. Better to be cautious than over eager. Good luck!

jbwilder0206 [Visitor] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

jbwilder0206 [Visitor] — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 22:59:36 +0000

@Rob: Would these be good for someone who is healing from shin splints and fractures? Just got the okay to start running again a few weeks ago and am just a little fearful of the wrong shoe.

Rob [Member] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

Rob [Member] — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:41:31 +0000

@Jack: By "lifts" are you talking about arch support? I know from personal experience that arch supports are often utilized to treat plantar fasciitis. If that's the case then you can definitely use this shoe with your arch supports, I do! Now if are using some sort of lift in the heel to increase the heel-to-drop height then you'll notice a bit difference when going to this shoe as it has zero drop or no difference between the heel and toe stack heights. This could be a large change from whatever shoe you are currently wearing. As always be very cautious as it takes quite a bit of time to adapt to a zero drop shoe. Moderation is the key!

Jack [Visitor] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

Jack [Visitor] — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 02:03:32 +0000

I have plantar fasciitis and have worn corrective "lifts" in both my running and boots. I cannot run without the "lifts" and am looking for something to ease out of them. Is this type of shoe recommended or is the minimalist support not recommended based upon my condition?

Thanks for your help>

Rob [Member] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

Rob [Member] — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:48:46 +0000

@Matt: Sorry for the late response. My advice is to go with the same size you're wearing in the Instinct. I wear the same size in both the Instinct and Provision and the feel about the same. My wife on the other hand had to go up a 1/2 size from the Instinct to the Provision due to some trouble with the women's sizing of the Provisioness (female version of the Provision).

Matt [Visitor] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

Matt [Visitor] — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:55:33 +0000

Great review, Rob. Can you say a little about the sizing. I wear a 12 in the instincts and am trying to decide between a 12 and 12.5 in the provisions. The length of the 12 feels better (about a thumbs width of space from big toe to tip/toe guard) but the toe box height feels a little shallow, almost like the mesh on top is tenting my toes. The 12.5 feels better in toe box height but is a little bigger all around. I am going to start off using the stability wedge and try to transition out of it, but curious what you felt about the length of your provisions vs. your instincts, or other shoes.

Rob [Member] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

Rob [Member] — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:52:23 +0000

@Shrub: Thank you for sharing your own running self discovery. As you know all of us are on journeys of our own that take many different routes; we all have different needs, goals and challenges with respect to our running.

With all due respect I don't think there is any ONE way to run; any universal catch all. To make broad sweeping generalizations such as "arch support is bad" is simply disingenuous and untrue. Just as you make your case test I too have made my own, along with many, many other runners I know who've happily run now for many, many years and tens of thousands of miles with arch supports and cushioned shoes and have not suffered mightely. It may be genetics, who knows? The fact that we're all still around running is proof enough to me that there is no ONE way we all SHOULD be running.

Despite what one can read in some of the latest books about the supposed merits of barefoot or shod running I still stand by the fact that for all of us running is a personaly journey of self discovery.

As you say you learned in your own personal journey, running is all about good form. You seemed to discover this truth after struggling in your early years. I wonder how different your running would have been if you'd focused on your form in the early days. I suspect your issues (as were mine) had more to do with my form than what shoes I was wearing; I used to wear the most aweful and inappropriate shoes! To me what you have or don't have on your feet is irellevent if you don't have good form. I also believe the corollary is true, if you have good form you can wear just about whatever shoe you'd like (or no shoes). These are anecdotal "truths" I've discovered in my 20+ years of running.

So no, I disagree that the Altra shoe line is a "marketing ploy". These may not be the shoe for YOU but they definitely fill the niche for folks who want a reduced drop shoe with an anatomically correct last (toe room). If anything the Altra line should serve as an example for how other shoe companies SHOULD be designing their shoes.

Again, thanks for your comments it's good to keep this discussion going. Keep on running! :)

Philip [Member] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

Philip [Member] — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:23:59 +0000

Shrub: Altra is certainly not trying to bring barefoot people back to structured supportive shoes. They offer shoes with two of the most important barefoot characteristics in my opinion: (1) wide, flat, foot shaped sole and (2) no heel elevation (zero drop). People can argue about other factors such as weight, sole thickness (stack height), etc., but that's why Altra offers multiple styles with various thicknesses. The Provision without "support" inserts is 15mm thick with a "firmer midsole." That's thicker than true "barefoot" shoes on the market, but not that much thicker than the majority of minimal shoes out there.

The "support" you object to is offered only in the form of removable insoles. In my opinion, that is the best way to market a barefoot shoe. It's designed to be flat with no support, and then for people that think they need it, actually do need it, or don't want to go completely "barefoot," they can put the inserts in as they want. The wedge insert is not meant for barefoot enthusiasts to use. It just offers an option for people who otherwise wouldn't buy a neutral, zerodrop shoe. They also have non-support "strength" inserts (totally flat) just to allow a tiny bit more cushion/thickness if wanted.

Again, this company is certainly not trying to "bring the barefoot crowd back." Here are their shoe thickness (all flat with no "support" inserts): Instinct 19mm, Provision 15mm, Samson 7-10mm (w/wo flat insert), and Adam 4.4-7.4mm (w/wo flat insert).

There's alot of barefoot/minimal customers out there (beginners and enthusiasts) that want a bit more thickness and/or some type of support (arch or wedge). Altra does a good job of giving these options to everyone.

Shrub [Visitor] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

Shrub [Visitor] — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:33:27 +0000

"Modeled after The Instinct™ platform, The Provision™ adds a firmer midsole and a removable varus stability wedge to assist men with fallen arches, excessive overpronation and knock knees..."

Most barefoot enthusiasts and experts agree that the solution to most of these problems is NOT lack of support, but support itself.

The problem is weak feet and one of the ways to get stronger feet is to go as minimal as possible and start running barefoot style.

So in my mind this shoe is a step backwards. It might be a good transition shoe for those that are starting, but if you think you need more support after going barefoot, the research shows you are going backwards on your foot health. It is oxymoronic.

I am a case test for the concept, as I stopped running in the early 90s because of a multitude of foot and knee problems.

After reading "Born to Run" and "Barefoot Running," I decided to get back in the game about 2 years ago. Started slow, perfected the form necessary and my feet and knees are stronger than ever and I have had ZERO problems since. My miles are piling up.

So this shoe seems like a marketing ploy to bring the barefoot crowd back, or as I have said, it could be good for beginners. But for me it was best to go "all in" and just take it slow with true minimal shoes.

Rob [Member] in response to: Altra Provision Running Shoe Review

Rob [Member] — Thu, 31 May 2012 02:43:53 +0000

@Phillip & Paul Joyce: I apologize for my incorrect statement, I can confirm that the inside of the entire Provision is completely foot friendly and uses the soft sock liner even on the footbed. The stitching is very small and nearly invisible. I think they would feel very nice to use without socks if that is your preference. I also agree that truth be told I could not tell much difference in the overall feel between the Instinct and Provision.